VW to feature GTI Roadster Concept at 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Volkswagen’s GTI Roadster Concept will have its debut in the United Kingdom at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed slated on June 26 to 29, 2014. Regarded as the ‘largest motoring garden party in the world,’ the Festival is held on the grounds of Goodwood House in Sussex. The Goodwood Festival of Speed also boasts of its hill-climb event.

Volkswagen UK’s stand at the Festival will give fans and enthusiasts a chance to engage with the German brand, providing them a glimpse at its latest innovations and some performance models. The radical GTI Roadster concept was initially meant to be virtual car that will be featured in the Sony PlayStation 3 Gran Turismo 6 (GT6).

That virtual car became a reality and is now powered by a 3.0-liter V6 biturbo TSI engine that provides 503 PS of output and 560 Nm of torque and features a seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION four-wheel drive. The concept could accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds, and reach a top speed of 190 mph.

Those who will visit the Festival of Speed this year could have a chance to experience that acceleration and speed by driving the GTI Roadster concept up the famous Goodwood hill climb -- in the virtual world of GT6. VW UK’s stand will feature three gaming pods that will allow such experience on the detailed recreation of the Goodwood course in the GT6.

VW will also give away a Sony PlayStation 3 and a copy of GT6 every day of the Festival. VW will also feature five other vehicles like the revised Touareg luxury SUV in stylish R-Line form and the new Golf GTE performance plug-in hybrid.

While the GTE boasts of the practicality of the regular Golf hatchback, its performance has been taken to new level thanks to 204 PS combined power from its turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 62 mph time of 7.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 137 mph on a carbon dioxide emission rate of just 35 g/km and a combined mileage of 188 mpg.

The GTE could also travel over 30 miles on batteries alone. Other cars to be on VW UK’s stand are the Volkswagen Polo WRC car and the Golf R. [source: VW]